Saudi Arabia`s King Salman has named his son, Mohammed bin Salman, as heir, in a major reshuffle announced early on Wednesday.
A royal decree removed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, 57, as next-in-line to the throne and replaced him with Mohammed bin Salman, 31, who was previously the deputy crown prince.
According to the official Saudi Press Agency, the newly announced crown prince was also named deputy prime minister.
He already oversees a vast portfolio as defence minister and head of an economic council tasked with overhauling the country`s economy.
Some royal observers had long suspected his rise to power under his father`s reign might also accelerate his ascension to the throne.
The young prince was little known to Saudis and outsiders before Salman became king in January 2015. He had previously been in charge of his father`s royal court when Salman was the crown prince.